Census: South End Population Rising

The South End population has grown steadily over the past decade, with nearly 3,000 residents moving into the neighborhood between 2000 and 2010, the city announced last week.

Using zip codes and zoning boundaries, the city’s Redevelopment Authority was able to break down the latest U.S. Census data into neighborhood specific charts. Overall, the South End grew by approximately 2,666 people over the past decade, an increase of roughly 12 percent.

By contrast, the population of the Back Bay dropped by roughly 4.4 percent over the same time period. City-wide, the population grew by 4.8 percent, reaching 600,000 for the first time.

“I am proud to see Boston’s population continue to grow,” Mayor Menino said in a press release. “Our city continues to be a vibrant and attractive place live, work and raise a family."

Within the South End, numbers indicated notable increases in the number of white and Asian residents in the neighborhood. Fifty-five percent of South End residents now identify themselves as white, up from 52 percent in 2000. The South End’s Asian community now constitutes 16 percent of the total population, an increase of 32 percent.  

Over the same time period, the African American population has declined by an estimated 16 percent, becoming the fourth most populous ethnic group in the South End behind Asian, Hispanic and white residents. The Hispanic population remained consistent, with a slight increase of 2.8 percent.

Housing Stock Rises, Vacancies Increase

The South End has almost 2,000 more units of housing now than it did in 2000, but vacancies are on the rise. Eight hundred and seventeen units now stand empty, representing a 25 increase from 2000.

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